HOOVER, Ala. – Few would consider LSU’s 2010 campaign an unsuccessful one.
An 11-win season capped off with a 41-24 stomping of Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl and a top-10 finish is a feat some schools can only imagine.
But with preseason polls and All-Southeastern Conference squads touting the Tigers as national contenders, the team is setting high expectations for itself this season.
“Last year we really felt like we had a down year,” said senior linebacker Ryan Baker. “We were 11-2, but it really didn’t feel like we were 11-2. We know we have expectations now. We want a national championship year.”
Baker, who earned second-team All-SEC honors in this year’s Media Days poll, takes the defensive reins as the Tigers say goodbye to three first-team All-SEC players: defensive tackle Drake Nevis, linebacker Kelvin Sheppard and cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis enters his third year with the Tigers, returning with seven starters from last season’s stout squad.
“John Chavis again gives us great leadership,” said head coach Les Miles. “We’ll expect that [the] defense will continue to have great production.”
Chavis’ defenses finished last season ranked No. 12 in total defense and No. 11 in scoring defense.
With the defense and special teams proving bright spots for the Tigers last season, blame for mid-season struggles fell on senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson and the offense, which finished 86th in total offense and 107th in pass offense.
“There has been a lot of negative press and a lot of criticism thrown Jordan’s way,” said senior center T-Bob Hebert.
“Jordan has just kind of taken it in and risen to a whole other level. He’s gotten better, he continues to improve and he’s flourishing, not only as a player but as a leader. He is the definite leader of our team, and we’re behind him.”
Jefferson ranked last in the conference among starting quarterbacks with 108.5 pass yards per game and 96th in the nation with 143.15 total yards per game.
But Jefferson said he’s hoping the new season will bring a clean slate as he prepares for his last go-round in purple and gold.
“[The criticism] hurts a little bit, but I’m doing a lot to change the perception of people’s opinions,” said Jefferson, whose 20-7 record leaves him just eight wins away from the most in school history by a quarterback. “I’m buying more into the system, becoming more of a leader and focusing on playing [consistently]. I’m doing a lot of things that I wasn’t prepared to do last year.”
And Jefferson may be headed in the right direction.
The rising senior began turning heads this summer at the Manning Passing Academy, receiving praise from ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen and NFL Network analyst Charles Davis. Both hyped Jefferson as one of the most impressive performers at the three-day camp.
“The Manning Academy is just a piece of what I’m expecting this year,” Jefferson said. “I expect for myself to have a great year. The Manning Camp just shows that I can compete with the top guys in the country.”
Jefferson credits the addition of new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe for his quick development this summer.
“Coach Kragthorpe has definitely made a difference,” he said. “In the short amount of time that I’ve been with him, I feel like I’ve improved a lot. This year will be an exciting year for us because he’s going to do the best he can to expose my talents and help this offense become great.”
LSU reports to fall camp August 3 — exactly one month before its opening week showdown with Oregon in Arlington.
 
—-
Contact Mark Clements at [email protected]